“Two men went to the Temple to pray.
One was a Pharisee,
and the other was a despised tax collector.
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer:
‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—
cheaters, sinners, adulterers.
I’m certainly not like that tax collector!
I fast twice a week,
and I give you a tenth of my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance
and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed.
Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow,
saying,
‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’
I tell you, this sinner,
not the Pharisee,
returned home justified before God.
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled,
and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
